It was one of the most dramatic scenes of last year's World Cup final but the Australians are remaining tight-lipped as to whether there will be a repeat of the haka face-off.

The Kangaroos lit the fuse for a cracking start to the 2008 finale when they marched to within centimetres of the Kiwi opponents as they performed their traditional pre-game war dance.

The move energised not only the players from both sides but also the crowd at the ground and television viewers.

"Sitting in the lounge room it surprised me," new Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens said.

"I suppose I said good on them, they stood up for themselves."

Sheens said he would back whatever the players wanted to do as their response to the haka, with a decision to be made at the team meeting on Thursday night.

"The group can decide what they want to do," he said.

"I don't think it's for me to encourage, I'm the new boy here, it's my first haka.

"I don't really know what they want to do but there has been rumours that (a repeat of last year is) what they want to do.

"One thing's for sure, it can't be disrespectful, no-one's going to accept that."

Skipper Darren Lockyer was a little more sheepish in his response to questions of a repeat performance.

"We haven't discussed it yet," he said.

"It wasn't spur of the moment (last year) it was a bit of a plan - it added to the excitment of the game.

"But I think if it's done every game it might lose its effect."

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